Amnesty International calls on G20 leaders not to lay the blame for terror attacks on migrants

Date: 16 November 2015

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The Amnesty International human rights organization calls on the world leaders to show true statesmanship.

As noted in the organization’s statement, the leaders must refrain from bowing to a knee-jerk anti-refugee agenda in the wake of the despicable attacks in Paris.

“The tragic events in Paris have sickened and stunned the world and our hearts and thoughts go out to all those affected by this atrocious attack. The threat of terrorism must always be responded to resolutely, with the utmost regard for security and respect for human rights,” Amnesty’s Director for Europe and Central Asia, John Dalhuisen said.

He urged not to forget that the asylum seekers from Syria and Iraq were also fleeing fear and violence.

“Now is also the time for world leaders to show true statesmanship and refuse to bow to the conflated anti-refugee rhetoric which is already emanating from some quarters. We have to remember that many of those trying to gain sanctuary have fled violence, fear and conflict, and indeed often by the very same group known as the Islamic State in both Syria and Iraq,” he stressed.

According to Dalhuisen, Europe is on the wrong path blaming the migration crisis for the attacks.

“Right now Europe faces two urgent challenges. The first is the long-standing threat of terrorism. The second, more recent, is an increased number of refugees and asylum seekers on its borders. They are not the same challenge and only one of them is a threat. European leaders must be careful to distinguish between them and be clear that Europe’s security is not best served by turning its back on a global refugee crisis, but by ensuring the orderly, organised and humane admission of those fleeing similar horrors.”

As reported, about a hundred people were killed in the Bataclan theater in Paris, another 40 were killed as a result of other attacks in Paris and around the city. In the evening on November 13, the terrorists opened fire in six blocks on the right bank of Paris.